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The Council of Community Services (CCS) is launching The Heart of Hope campaign, a $120,000 fundraising effort aimed at combating homelessness and hunger in Campbell County. As the Trump Administration continues the important work to balance the national budget, several key programs that CCS depends on to support our most vulnerable community members have been cut, or will likely be cut in the coming months. At the same time, Campbell County is experiencing double-digit increases in homelessness, hunger, and financial hardships. We need the community's support to ensure families experiencing homelessness and hunger are not left out on the streets.
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“We are truly grateful for the support the community has already provided through our Empty Bowl annual fundraiser and 2024 end-of-year giving. We want the community to know that we have put those dollars to good use. However, in the last three months, we have already lost $188,000 from cuts to the U.S.D.A.’s Local Food Assistance Cooperative Agreement program," shared Executive Director Mikel Scott in a recent press release. "We are hoping that our community will be able to come together to help the rising number of Campbell County residents experiencing homelessness and hunger, including children and the elderly."
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We hope you will consider shopping at Seconds on the Avenue (all proceeds support our programs), or making a donation at here.
Our goal is to raise $120,000 by September 1st.
Here's how we plan to meet that goal:
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$40,000 through WyoGives, a statewide fundraiser where donations are matched.
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Increase shopping at the Seconds on the Avenue, all proceeds fund our homelessness, hunger, and emergency assistance programs.
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Individual donations from caring community members like you.
With your support we can make sure that our most vulnerable community members are cared for with dignity and respect.
The need for services is growing, and CCS is committed to meeting that need. Here’s a snapshot of the current situation in Campbell County:
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36% increase in people experiencing homelessness in 2024, including a 35% increase in the number of children staying in our shelter.
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18% increase in the number of senior citizens relying on our food pantry and soup kitchens.
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10% increase in the number of children needing food assistance through our hunger initiative programs.
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48% increase in the number of community members needing emergency medical and weatherization assistance.
These numbers reflect the growing demand for support in our community. Your donation can help meet these needs.